Tracking the Impact of Covid 19 Virus-Celeste Neriah Meyn

(Prepared by Celeste Neriah Meyn for her school newsletter)

Corona virus is a global pandemic that originated in China, spreading quickly across the globe. It started in December 2019. Today, China may have contained the virus but the rest of the countries are struggling to do just that. This virus is a respiratory disease that has taken millions of lives. This may be one of the largest pandemics the world has experienced. Many countries have been on lockdown for months now as ordered by the government. The stories of doctors and nurses who are experiencing this are heartbreaking. This newsletter is an informative one that will keep you informed of the world’s happenings.

Spread facts, not fear.

MYTHBUSTER OF THE WEEK:

 MYTH: Hand Dryers are effective in killing COVID-19

 FACT: To protect yourself against COVID-19, frequently wash your hand with soap and water.

Image Credits

How has this pandemic influenced us as humans: Good/Bad?

Today, many people across the globe and inside their houses are unable to come out for the fear of catching the deadly virus. Migrants are in a foreign country, away from family, friends and loved ones. Students are unable to take their exams or even go back to school. Many people who earn their living by working at their offices are now working from home while others have lost their jobs and are barely surviving. Others are battling it out between life and death on a hospital bed. Doctors and nurses can’t go back to their homes in case they spread the virus to their families. While other families are sitting at home, they are safe but they don’t understand it. Families are getting more time to spend with one another but do they know the value of that?

A lockdown poem

By: Hannah Meyn

I don’t think quarantine is so bad

Though it most certainly drives some people mad

We are giving the earth time to heal

And paying attention to how it feels

Now the roads start getting cleaner

And the earth starts getting greener

It simply isn’t fair to say

That the lockdown came and ruined my day.

My Thoughts

My name is Celeste. I study at Bangalore International School. I am safe inside my home today. I am grateful for the time that I get to spend with my family. I am grateful for my home so I can go upstairs and downstairs and not get bored. I have two sisters for company, a whole lot of books to read, board games to play and a TV to keep me entertained. I am able to walk into my garden and enjoy my plants as well as watch the birds and the skies from my terrace. Students just like me, around the world have the privilege of continuing our education online thanks to our teachers who are making every effort to make sure we don’t miss out on our learning.

I am grateful that my family and I, our loved ones, friends and those we cherish are safe.

I still remember that 20^th March, it was a Friday. All my teachers, classmates and I went home at the end of the day thinking that we would meet each other again on Monday. Nobody knew what was going to happen. I am pretty sure nobody in my class had anticipated this lockdown. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the situation could have gotten so bad. It breaks my heart to think that doctors are not able to fully do what they were supposed to do. Save lives. Not choose who has to live and who has to die. Today, doctors all around the world are struggling with these decisions. And it is for no fault of their own. Hospitals have run out of ventilators, beds, and medication. It’s gruesome to even think about it.

Migrant workers are stranded at the borders of one state or another. They are barely making it through the day even dying of starvation or exhaustion. Food distribution workers are doing the best that they can do in the given situation. These migrants have all the right to complain. But are they doing that? Is anybody seeing what is going on?

I feel bad knowing that there is nothing I can do about this. People who are “stuck” inside their homes have absolutely no right to complain. They do not know how blessed they are to just be home with family or at least knowing they are safe inside their homes.  I understand humans are people who cannot be contained in four walls. I did not think we would reach this stage. Where exactly are we stuck in four walls? Not that I have any right to complain myself.

Who would have thought that an invisible bacterium can threaten the very existence of man? But then again I am confident that we, humans, will overcome this. That’s my sincere, heartfelt prayer. 

(all images used from Pixabay.com) 

Fingerprint Autobiographical poetry writing-Celeste Meyn

It's a blessing when your kids know WHO THEY ARE! 

My prayer for my firstborn, as is for all my daughters is that they would know that they are not of this world. 

They definitely are out-of-this-world, but are here on this Earth for a specific purpose, which only they can fulfill. 

My Doll-Celeste Neriah Meyn

May they know Christ personally, be absolutely consumed by His love and His grace and release the same to the world around them. 

May they know their destiny through Christ and may they achieve more than they can ever dream of. 

May they exude the beautiful fragrance of the Most High as they conduct themselves as the salt and the light of the world. 

May they live their lives wholeheartedly for Christ and His Kingdom even as they learn to testify as Christ Jesus did, "I know where I came from and where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one." John 8

May they be firmly established in their IDENTITY IN CHRIST! 🖤💝

When an unplanned pregnancy interrupts a planned life...

I was motivated to write about this experience after reading this article about Natalie Grant and realizing that I was not alone. In fact, there was so much similarity in what she had gone through and how she felt and what I had gone through and what I had felt. And there might be a few more mothers out there who probably have gone through or are going through something similar.

Even as I share about how miserable I felt when I got to know that I was pregnant for the third time, I remember someone passing a remark saying, "how can you say things like that being a Christian". But today, as I write this...that is exactly my point. How I have normal human feelings and emotions like a normal human being...but how God in all of His goodness, mercy and faithfulness has empowered me to overcome and cherish life and all it's gifts.

Before you can read about me, you can read about Natalie Grant who inspired me to write this article, by clicking on the link below.

Natalie Grant: Music and Motherhood

To begin with, when we got married, I never wanted kids. I wanted my space, my freedom and my care-free life. So when Ben said he'd love to have a cricket team, I was stunned! "Give me a couple of years to think about whether I'm ready for even one," I told him. 

Sure enough, three years later, the desire crept in and even though a pregnancy test came positive, just two weeks later I began to bleed and was told that there could have been a mistake...there was no baby. Instead, I had cysts and had to get on immediate medication so I could try again after about six months. I was crushed...didn't get out of the home nor spoke to anyone for days. I was so so so broken. So the next month when I missed my periods and had to do the test again, despite it coming positive, I didn't believe. That's when I realized God had taken away the cysts and given me my firstborn-Celeste, my shining star. 

God's goodness didn't pause at Celeste, for when she was just five months old, I felt I could have conceived again. But when I hinted at Ben, he asked, "how is it possible???" 

HOW?! Really?! We all know HOW!

A book that really motivated me and blessed my life was Supernatural Childbirth and Prayers and Promises for a Supernatural Childbirth.

When the tests confirmed pregnancy, I was elated. I just couldn't wait to see how beautiful this little one was going to be after having baby Celeste. And just like that, little Hannah was born.

I had my challenges and had overcome the postpartum depression, yet having a very small age gap between them, Celeste and Hannah began to grow beautifully... Soon, they had started Montessori and I signed up for my Image Consulting Program. I could finally pursue a career! Within a year, the program was completed and I achieved my certification. As time went by, I even passed the assessment of training for the Institute. I had to get my portfolio done, and soon I would be a practicing Image Consultant!

That's precisely when God decided to fill my womb again. Just that this time, it wasn't what I was looking for. I didn't want any more babies. I had dreams...desires...so much to achieve! I didn't have time for another baby! This time when I told Ben, he said, "It's not possible". 

Only I knew how real it was. Not that any of my pregnancies were planned...but this was way out of line. I battled thoughts of abortion. Yes, as a Christian, I did. Though many times I had prayed, Lord have your way in me...my life is in you...you are the potter, I am the clay...it's all about you, Jesus; it all came down to this. Was I going to be able to accept the Lord's plan in my life and set aside my own, trusting and knowing that He will work all things for my good? Easier said than done. Try telling that to me at that time. No amount of reasoning or explaining made sense. There were so many women out there who were desperate to have a child...they could have this baby instead of me!

I know this sounds horrible. I understand the reasonings may not be justified. All that I had on my mind was my selfish ambitions. Nothing and no one could do anything to help.

Had it crossed my mind that there was a little heart beating inside of me whose life was now entrusted to me? It might be just the beginning...just a teeny weeny little blob...but it was life...just like mine...just that it was a few days or weeks old and I was far far far older. Just because it was within my womb...did it give me the right to destroy it because of my selfish ambitions?

It took a lot of praying, surrendering and trusting God. And this is what I want to share...my battles were just the same...as a normal woman. It was the grace of God, His love and His beautiful Holy Spirit that healed, forgave, comforted and counselled me. My prayer was that I would be able to love this little baby no matter what...without any strings attached...unconditionally.

Then, as soon as little Liezel popped out...I was awestruck and smitten! Is that even possible?! Absolutely! She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. There was this unexplainable surge of love that just flooded my heart. And it hasn't stopped till this day. She was just perfect. How could I have not wanted another baby? Look at what I would be missing! She brought so much joy and so much life into our existence. God knew exactly what He was doing! We needed Liezel more than we even knew. There could have been no better timing. What an awesome blessing to behold!

Life goes on. Have I killed my dreams? Most certainly not. I have learnt that when I lay my dreams at God's feet I need to trust that He will bring to pass what has to be and what's best for me. It's all a part of self-realization, self-acceptance and self-enlightenment.

Thank God for trusting me...even when I didn't trust Him!

Is it a boy or a girl?

Our third baby! It was time to share the news with family, friends and everyone else. Funnily, all you have to do is share the news with a few people and they do the 'spreading of the news' for you. We were excited about our third baby, even though it was our 'third' and wanted to experience the reactions from our loved ones and the others and so wanted to break the news ourselves since we barely got to do it the first and second time we expected.

Well, turns out, as soon as we would say, 'we are expecting our third baby,' there would either be expressions of disbelief, shock, disapproval or sympathy. Time and again, we'd heard people say, 'don't worry, it will be a boy.' But we really aren't worried. After getting to know how single-minded most people are towards girl babies in India through the television and other media, we only had to experience it in real life to believe it. We would love a boy. Of course we would. But even if it is a girl, which Ben and Sil desire it to be...and me...we'd love her, knowing that there's nothing we've missed in life.

It was amusing when a fellow Christian asked me, 'was it planned? next time better be careful!' and another say, 'was it a mistake?'

Not that we don't support family planning. We do. We use contraceptives. Our third baby is only proof that even contraceptives cannot stop God's blessings. Was it a mistake? I don't think babies are a mistake, especially in marriage, when they are conceived in love.

Very few people, probably just a couple of them, have asked us, 'what are you'll expecting, a girl or a boy?' And very few have been genuinely supportive. All others have reacted as if there's more expected of them, now that there's another baby. It's not very pleasant, when people say, 'how are you doing, don't worry, we are praying that it will be a boy.' They wouldn't even take the time to ask if that's what we want. Well, if they want a boy, let them pray for one of their own...let mine be what God wants it to be! The baby is already conceived...it's not going to change its sex based on their preference!

I'm grateful to God for the few friends and family who have unconditionally and without condemnation stood by us through this happy time, not making us feel like it's some kind of an unusual happening.

Isn't it strange? When you don't have kids, people are always trying to figure out why you don't have any and when are you going to have one. When you have one, if it's a girl, they'd want you to have a boy and if it's a boy, well, in India, it would just as well be 'all boys.' And then, when you finally have a nice big family, they get worried that your family is getting 'too big' if you have any more babies! Like it's some task for them!

People will want to have their say. Whether it counts or not...depends on how you take it. We love our unborn baby. And welcome it whether it's a boy or a girl. A boy would be different...but a girl, she would be just as perfect as Sil and Za.

The Third Time-When your plans are interrupted by God's

Seven months ago, Celeste came home one day and said that she wanted a little baby. I tried explaining to her that she has Hannah, but she wanted someone smaller than Hannah. She had Ahan, her cousin! He was younger than Hannah and they both loved him. 'No,' she said, 'a small little baby.' I said, 'fine' and decided to cut the topic.

The next day and the next, and for about a week this 'wish' of hers was replayed every single day until Ben and me just gave up and thinking this was the only way to get out of the situation, told her, 'Jesus gives babies, ask Him!'

That night, as Ben prayed with the girls, Sil prayed, 'Jesus, please put a baby in my mamma's stomach.' Ben, trying to control his laughter came and related this innocent little prayer to me. Amused by the simple words, I called my mom and sister and recounted the prayer to them. How sweet and innocent we thought.

About a month later, wanting to watch a funny movie, I asked Ben to pick a DVD. For reasons known only to him, he picked 'what to expect when you are expecting.' A nice movie. Just that something related so much that I felt the need to get a pregnancy test done. 'Impossible!' thought Ben. 'Not now,' I said, knowing that I had just cleared my 'trainer certification' rounds and was ready to begin work after the long long years of waiting. We picked up a pregnancy test kit off the shelf while we were out grocery shopping. The next morning, it showed positive. 'No!!!' I cried. 'It was not refrigerated, and it was not from a pharmacy, I'm sure it's not right,' Ben said, his confidence coming from the 'refrigerated kits' he had bought when we had to test for Sil and Za. A couple of days later, we tried the 'refrigerated kit' from a pharmacy. It only confirmed what the first kit said. The next few days were spent in tears...we had not planned for this!

But then, we hadn't planned for Sil and Za either. God had. This was Sil's desire coming to pass. The innocent prayer of a little child that was heard by our Living God.

Along the same time, I was going through some very difficult times of betrayal, backstabbing, slander and hurt. All the while, God kept telling me to stay quiet. 'That's not fair, Lord,' I thought. Show me you are on my side, that I am not condemned in your eyes. See, my reaction through that difficult time was fine, but now, when it was God's plan coming to pass, especially that I had to let go of my personal and career plans, how was I going to react? Yes, we did want a third baby, just not at this time, but a time convenient to us. God taught us that a time convenient to us may not be 'in His time.'

To see the joy on Sil's and Za's face as we shared about the new baby with them, was nothing compared to anything in the world. Sil was thrilled, Jesus heard and answered her prayer. It's been seven months, and I can't wait to hold the little one in my arms. None of us can...Ben's love for our unborn baby has only increased. He so intently watches the ultrasounds each time we go for one, like it's a miracle he's looking at. Sil and Za are expectant, their choices of a girl or a boy changing with the weather.

It doesn't matter - if it's a boy or a girl. It's God's will, it's His time and it's His baby. We are honoured to have being chosen by Him, by surprise, the third time around!!!

Little Sil recites Two little dickey birds

For darling Hannah

Celeste was just five months old, I felt pregnant but was too scared to believe it and kept searching for signs and more signs and even more signs until one day I told Ben who laughed it out wondering how on earth is it possible-we had waited and prayed for almost a year and a half before Celeste was finally conceived and here is something that seemed to have happened absolutely instantly and out of time. The home-kit showed positive. But you know, at such times, we generally feel the home kit may have gone wrong and so rushed to the gynaec. Inside, I was bubbling with excitement at the thought of being pregnant again.  My first pregnancy was so beautiful that I just wanted to go through it all again. Here's what the gynaec said, 'Theres nothing we can do-its already three months.' 'Oh no! I want this baby, I dont want you to do anything' I answered.

Ben was stunned.  Do things like this happen. Yes, there were a couple of people who had gone through something similar.  But how could it be? So soon?

Reactions from people varied, most ranging from stunned to the ones who looked at us as if we had done something terribly absurd to others who shamelessly questioned us about how could we have not been careful after being educated to a handful who were genuinely happy.  At times I wondered, children are a gift of the Lord and if Celeste came after so much of praying and the second baby was just handed in as a bonus, why were people so judgemental.  Afterall, we were married and this was a baby conceived out of pure love.  I considered myself really blessed to have been entrusted by God with a second baby so soon.

I did go through a really difficult emotional time during this pregnancy though.  Handling Celeste as well as taking care of myself was taking its toll, especially on little Celeste and I felt terrible about it.  But she grew more and more understanding and the beautiful little things she did kept me going.  Every move the baby inside made was getting me even more excited.  All through I kept believing for a supernatural delivery.  Not once did I ever feel like I didnt want this baby.

Finally one morning I woke up realizing my waterbag had bursted.  I woke up everyone at home letting them know it was time to go to the hospital.  I was admitted at about 11:00 am and the gynaec told me that labor had begun but I would probably being the last stage only by about 03:00-04:00 pm.  At about 12:30 the pains were increasing.  Because I was praying for a supernatural delivery I felt a little disappointed. I began singing -

'I just keep trusting in my Lord as I walk along,
I just keep trusting in my Lord and He gives me a song,
Though the storm clouds darken in the sky over the heavenly trails
I just keep trusting in my Lord, He will never fail.
He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend
I can count on Him, till the very end.'

In about 20 minutes a nurse passing by noticed me and rushed to the doctor.  The first thing the doctor told me when she arrived was 'dont push'! My baby was already on its way out, way ahead of the time the doctors predicted! At 01:15 pm the doctor said 'its a girl' and Ben was elated. 'Its a girl!' he repeated and the screaming baby was silent the second she heard him call to her!  I was amazed.  I had no stitches for this delivery and was back home within 24 hours doing absolutely fine.

She was beautiful. Tiny eyes. Slept through the night and did so for almost all nights that followed. Cried only when she needed a feed or a change.  Observed and adjusted.  An unbelievable child.  Perfect in every sense. A companion that Celeste needed so much. And so we believe, 'Every good and perfect gift is from above' James1:17 The Holy Bible.  We knew we had been favored by God and this was a very very precious gift and so we named her Hannah Natania.

Even today, each time I look at her I can only understand how perfect are the gifts that come from God in His time.  When He blesses He truly adds no sorrow to it.

Ageing... gracefully or aged-fully?

Its the time of life when I'm nearing its mid-term and i always thought I would be prepared for it, and always maintained I want to 'age gracefully'; well, it doesnt seem as simple. Every now and then I tend to keep reminding myself that I'm a mother of two-which is more than a huge responsibility and a home-maker which is a round-the-clock chore and not to forget-I'm a wife above all. Each day I find myself looking into the mirror searching for any wrinkles that could mark the beginning of the end of my youth!

Everytime my little girls throw a tantrum or whine or nag, I feel like I have the worst life on earth, I feel like pulling my hair out and screaming my guts out so God (and unwantingly all my neighbors too) could hear me loud and clear and know how much I just can't take it.


Everytime my maid doesn't make it to do the housework I feel like my world is going to end that very day since I now not only have to manage the kids and their nappies and the dishes and the floors and the clothes and the food and the bathing and any unwanted calls and unwanted visitors... but also the unprecedented that have to happen only on such days.


Everytime Ben leaves for work I feel like I've been deserted and lonely. Everytime he comes back from work, I feel-'one more to help in leaving stuff in unwanted places and make me repeat almost every sentence I say.'


All this while, I've been nagging at my husband, continuosly and unceasingly complaining to God and crying at my babies. But thankfully, of late, something has changed.


This sunday the pastor-Pastor Johnson spoke on worship, worshipping God in every situation, in thoughts and deeds, which is obviously easier said than done. That evening, we went out for a drive and happened to pick up a 'bubble blower'. I thought Celeste, my two-year old would love to blow some bubbles and nine month old Hannah would enjoy it too. Guess what? Celeste didn't know how to blow the bubbles and couldn't get the hang of it no matter how much we tried and cajoled me to blow them so both, she and her sister could play with the bubbles. I willingly obliged. And I'm so glad I did-it was so much fun. I remembered how much I loved this when I was a kid... it felt just the same. I was enjoying it so much that I didn't want to stop and was even more excited when the kids kept encouraging me to continue.

I realized it was up to me whether I wanted to continue counting how old I'd got or counting how blessed I've been, how blessed I am and how much more blessed I'm going to be.


Its still difficult to worship God when things are all going haywire, especially in my thoughts. But its easier to worship God when things are all going haywire, especially in my thoughts by simply leaning on Him and crying in His arms and finding comfort in Him alone. I hope to continue doing this and going through the next phase of my life with a new confidence and strength that will help me age grace-fully; because I know "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another" (John 1:16, The Holy Bible)

For my darling daughter Celeste

This one is for my firstborn, the one who I fell in love with all over again after I had fallen in love with my husband. I enjoyed my pregnancy and had quiet a stress-free delivery.

The moment I was told my baby was a girl, I knew it was not just my husband Ben and me, but our entire families who would be bursting with joy. Everyone was expecting a little princess. And I can still picture how much she resembled her father the first time I saw her. "Wow! This is an absolute miracle" is all I could think. She was the best thing on earth I had ever seen-so tiny, so soft, so beautiful. I just could'nt stop adoring and admiring her. Everything about her was so wonderful that each time I looked at her I realized how true are the words "I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful" (Psalm 139:14, The Holy Bible).

Since the day she was born, until today, we have marvelled at how there is something new about her everyday we look at her. Every little move she makes brings so much of joy and excitement. Every sound that comes out of her mouth is like music to our ears. There are times we simply sit and watch her sleep-admire her lovely big doe eyes, her perfectly formed nose, her rosy lips, her thick black curly hair and her cute baby smile that can melt even the hardest heart. And there are other times when I lay besides her and feel her tender skin and wonder if she would ever know how deeply I love her.

You know, I probably have been too strict with this little girl of mine in an effort to discipline her. But my only intention is that she would grow to become a woman of faith and integrity and my only prayer is that she would achieve this. Even in those desperate troubled stressed out times when she seems to be impossible to handle, I still can close my eyes and thank God for entrusting me with this little soul. This little soul, who has taught us about selflessness, innocence, forgiveness and above all how much God, our heavenly parent loves us inspite of all we are.